Destiny Goluba believes that a little bit of sunshine can go a long way in brightening the lives of others. Now she’s hoping that a degree from Keizer University Tampa will help her bring light to her patients.
“You have to be the sunshine in people’s days, and that’s what I want to do, that’s what I’m about,” Goluba said. “When you have a good nurse, it’s easier to deal with things. It’s easier to deal with the diagnosis. I just want to be the sunshine in people’s days.”
Goluba is an associate of science student in nursing at Keizer University Tampa. But starting a career in nursing was a dream long before her time on campus. She is also continuing a family tradition of health workers, following in the footsteps of her grandmother, mother and sister.
The Central Florida native says she remembers nights at the dinner table listening to her mother and grandmother share stories about their own nursing careers and how she felt the passion they have for caring for others. As she begins her own healthcare journey, Goluba says her family is proud and excited for her next chapter.
“They always told me that I can do whatever I want no matter what career path they’re happy with, but because I grew up with the conversations around the dinner table, they were really happy,” Goluba said. “You know this is a great career path for me because I’m a very loving, caring person. I’m very talkative, I’m not the kind of nurse who brushes a patient off, I talk to them and get to know them.”
Goluba says she’s seen firsthand the difference this type of patient-caregiver relationship can make in a family, and it’s the kind of support she wants to bring to her own patients.
“When my grandpa was in the hospital and came back, I would always see all the nurses taking care of him, the good and the bad,” Goluba said. “Not only does it make people’s day, but it also helps them think, hey, I’m not alone. I have someone to help me support me. You will always be close to nurses who will take care of you when you receive a serious diagnosis.”
After her ASN, Goluba plans to enroll in a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Keizer University Tampa, continuing another family tradition.
“My sister, when she joined Keizer, had her associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. My mother also has her associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She met her best friend in nursing school, all at Keizer,” Goluba said. “The nursing program was fantastic. All the professors are here to help you at any time, tutoring, if you have any questions, you can contact them.
Goluba is an EASE (Effective Access to Student Education) grant recipient. The EASE program provides scholarships for Florida resident students to attend one of thirty independent Florida colleges and universities.
She says the program is a great help to continue her education and achieve her goals of becoming a nurse.
“College in general is expensive, especially the books. It helped a lot, even if it’s just a cover book. Every little helps,” Goluba said.
Goluba hopes to eventually work as a pediatric nurse.
Keizer University is a private, independent, not-for-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students in 21 Florida, online and two international campuses. Co-founded by Chancellor Arthur Keizer, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keizer in 1977, Keizer University currently offers more than 100 degrees from associate to doctoral degrees. Keizer University is a designated Hispanic-serving institution, a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and was ranked #1 in the United States for providing social mobility by US News and World Report in 2023.
